Highlights from the 2025 Oscars: Unexpected Wins and Musical Moments

The 2025 Oscars marked the conclusion of this year’s award season, delivering an entertaining ceremony filled with surprises, heartfelt speeches, and remarkable performances.

Below are some key moments from the 97th Annual Academy Awards.

Mikey Madison Shocks with Best Actress Victory

Mikey Madison, a 25-year-old actress known for her role in Anora, stunned audiences by winning the Best Actress award. Madison prevailed against favorite Demi Moore, who was in the running for her performance in The Substance.

While accepting her award, Madison expressed her amazement, saying, "I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. To be here standing in this room today is really incredible." She added, "I want to thank and honor the sex worker community. I will continue to be an ally."

The film Anora also claimed the title of Best Picture, surprising many after an unpredictable awards race where films like Conclave and The Brutalist were initially front-runners.

Wicked Stars Kick Off the Ceremony

The Oscars opened with a dazzling performance by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The duo sang a medley of songs from the Wizard of Oz franchise, starting with Grande’s enchanting rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Erivo followed with a beautiful performance of "Home" from The Wiz, and the pair teamed up for a stirring version of "Defying Gravity." Their touching performances earned them a standing ovation from the audience.

Visuals of the city of Los Angeles adorned the backdrop, paying tribute to the resilience of the city in light of the wildfires experienced earlier this year.

Sean Baker Sets Oscar Records with Anora

Director Sean Baker achieved a historic night for his film Anora, winning the highest number of individual Oscars for a single film. He took home awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture, alongside Madison’s victory.

Baker dedicated his Oscar for Best Director to cinema, urging audiences to support theaters and independent film, remarking that his film cost just $6 million to produce.

Additionally, Zoe Saldana made history as the first actress of Dominican heritage to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. During her emotional acceptance speech, she reflected on her background and acknowledged the significance of receiving an award for a role that allowed her to sing and speak in Spanish.

Breaking new ground, Paul Tazewell also became the first Black winner of the Best Costume Design award, while Latvia celebrated its first Oscar win with Flow, awarded Best Animated Feature.

Adrien Brody Delivers Lengthy Acceptance Speech

Adrien Brody, the Best Actor winner, captivated the audience with a heartfelt but lengthy acceptance speech. He expressed his appreciation for those who helped him throughout his career and emphasized the importance of perspective in acting. Despite the orchestra attempting to play him off, Brody humorously insisted on finishing, stating, "I'm wrapping up, please, please, please, I will wrap up. Please turn the music off. I've done this before. It's not my first rodeo. Thank you."

In his concluding remarks, he called for a world that is healthier, happier, and more inclusive, reminding everyone not to let hate go unchecked.

Iranian Filmmakers Complete Miracle Journey

Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi, the creators of the animated short In the Shadow of the Cypress, shared their unique journey to the Oscars. Just three hours before the ceremony, they arrived in Los Angeles after facing significant visa challenges. Upon accepting their award, they expressed their astonishment, with Molayemi noting, "It's a miracle, and speaking in front of this expectant audience is very hard for us."

Musical Acceptance for Best Original Song

French composers Clément Ducol and Camille won the Best Original Song award for their track "El Mal" from the film Emilia Perez. Their acceptance speech took a creative turn when they concluded by performing the song together, which brought smiles and applause from the audience, despite some puzzled looks.

LA Firefighters Honor and Humor

This year’s Oscars included a special segment honoring the firefighters who battled the LA wildfires. Host Conan O'Brien welcomed members of the Los Angeles and Pasadena fire departments on stage, thanking them for their bravery. O'Brien humorously remarked that there are some jokes even he couldn’t tell, prompting firefighters to read scripted jokes for laughs from the audience.

Documentary Award Highlights Israeli-Palestinian Cooperation

The Oscar for Best Documentary Feature was awarded to No Other Land, which explores the partnership between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist amidst their people's conflict in the West Bank. Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, who accepted the award, emphasized the dire issues faced by their communities and called for a political solution that ensures freedom and safety for all.

Oscars, Awards, Music, Film